Qantas to introduce Q Streaming on-board 737s

Qantas is introducing Q Streaming, its own closed network which streams airline-provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) content to passenger’s personal electronic devices, on-board 38 of its Boeing 737 aircraft.The installation of Q Streaming comes as part of a broader 737 refresh which includes the fitting of an extra row of economy seats following the reconfiguration of the rear galley and lavatories. The new seats represent a 3% increase in capacity for the 737 fleet, improving the economics of the aircraft.Around half of the carrier’s 67 Boeing 737 aircraft will undergo refurbishments at Qantas’ Brisbane heavy maintenance facility, with the rest undergoing works in Sydney to fast track the programme. The remaining 29 Boeing 737s in Qantas’ fleet, which aren’t being equipped with Q Streaming, already feature on-demand seat-back IFE. “During the past two years we have invested in new lounges, upgrades to our A330 aircraft and rolled out more in-flight entertainment options than ever before,” commented Alan Joyce, Qantas group CEO. “The 737 is the backbone of our domestic fleet and this refresh is part of our strategy to deliver the best experience for our customers, whether they’re in the air or on the ground.”The airline’s fleet of 28 Airbus A330 wide body aircraft is also being updated in Brisbane. “Ten of our A330s are in service, offering a new fully flat Business Suite which has been described as the best domestic business class cabin in the world as well as upgraded economy seating and in-flight entertainment,” Joyce remarked. “It takes a team of more than 200 engineers and support staff to transform each A330 aircraft and we expect to have 16 of the refurbished aircraft in service by the end of the year.”